Free Republic

Cherie Blair provoked surprise in the Vatican and the ire of a Roman Catholic MP yesterday by wearing all-white to meet the Pope, a privilege normally reserved for Catholic Queens.The Vatican convention is that females meeting the Pontiff should wear black, preferably with a black veil, or mantilla.   Cherie Blair with Pope Benedict When the Queen met Pope John Paul II six years ago, she observed the code meticulously.Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, wore black, but omitted the veil.By contrast, Mrs Blair, a staunch Catholic, chose to exercise the "privilege du blanc", usually granted only to the wives...